Chapter 19: Burning Books and Burying Scholars
[The fourth point is burning books and burying scholars.]

The most criticized thing about Qin Shihuang is "burning books and burying scholars"

Under the sky, the Confucian scholars of the Qin Dynasty looked very unhappy. Burning and burying Confucian scholars, how could a monarch do such a brutal act?
Ying Zheng, who had never done this before, had some guesses in his mind.

The students of various schools from the six countries constantly ridiculed the current political situation and incited dissatisfaction, which was very detrimental to the promotion of government orders. In the future, he burned poetry and books probably to unify thoughts.

As for the killing of Confucian scholars, it was probably because the Confucian scholars did something they shouldn't have done.

[According to the "Historical Records":
In the 213th year of Qin Shihuang's reign ( BC), Qin Shihuang held a banquet in the Xianyang Palace, and seventy doctors attended.

Zhou Qingchen, the Minister of State Affairs, took the lead in praising the Qin State: “Originally, the territory of Qin State was only a thousand miles, but thanks to your majesty’s divine wisdom, you have pacified the country and driven out the barbarians. Wherever the sun and the moon shine, no one has failed to submit.

Abolish the feudal lords, establish counties, make everyone live in peace, and never have wars. From ancient times to the present, no one can compare to your majesty’s power and virtue.”

Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng was very happy to be praised.

After all, a banquet is all about praising the boss. If the boss is in a good mood, his subordinates will be happy too.

But a very smart person jumped out. 】

[Chun Yuyue.]
[Fusu's teacher?]
[Fusu must have been fooled by Confucianism, so he committed suicide.]
[Who knows if he really committed suicide? Fusu's fate was determined the moment the First Emperor died. Even if he didn't commit suicide, someone would have helped him commit suicide.]
The Qin Dynasty had never held this banquet before, and Chunyu Yue felt ashamed and angry at the looks of his colleagues and superiors.

Fusu, who was said to be "educated stupidly", actually committed suicide after his father's death.

Li Si, who was once described as "confused", was not sure what would become of him in the future. Tianmu didn't even tell me, which made people anxious.

[That’s right, it’s Chunyu Yue.]

He was a doctor from Qi State and did not agree with Zhou Qingchen's words.

He said bluntly: "The reason why the Shang Dynasty lasted for more than a thousand years was because it divided the country among its sons and daughters and provided them with protection and assistance.

Your Majesty now owns the world, but your children are all ordinary people. If someone rebels, they will be unable to help each other. If you do not follow the ancient ways, you will not be able to last long.

Zhou Qingchen's flattery in person will only deepen your fault. He is not a loyal minister. ”】

[This statement is somewhat inappropriate to the situation.]
[Leaders come to dinner to listen to praise, not to be taught.]
[He also stepped on his colleague. If I were Zhou Qingchen, I would hate him to death.]
Emperors with domineering personalities such as Liu Che and Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly. That’s right, who would like to hear words that spoil their fun when they are having a good time?

If you want to give advice, just do it in the court. There is no need to make such a fuss at a banquet.

[We don’t know whether Qin Shihuang was happy at the time, but he directly asked his ministers to express their opinions.

So the Prime Minister Li Si, whom we are familiar with, came on the scene.

The words were sharp: "Times have changed. The great cause created by Your Majesty is not something that a corrupt scholar like Chunyu Yue can understand.

But they just rely on their mouths to criticize the present by comparing the past with the present and mislead the people. As soon as a new decree is issued, they start discussing it in the streets and forming cliques.

If this continues, not only will your majesty's prestige be reduced, but it will also form a force against the government."

Qin Shi Huang asked.

Li Si directly proposed burning books.

Burn the history books of the Six Kingdoms and privately hidden classics such as "Book of Songs" and "Book of Documents".

But useful books on medicine, planting, divination, etc. were not burned.

In this way, a nationwide book burning movement began. 】

[There were backup copies of these in the Xianyang Palace, but unfortunately they were burned down by Xiang Yu in the end.]
[Too many mixed thoughts are really not conducive to the consolidation of the regime. From the perspective of the First Emperor, this approach is the most effective, but it is a bit cruel.]
[Xiang Yu entered Xianyang and started to burn, kill and loot. All the books hidden in the Xianyang Palace were burned. The one who should be blamed the most should be Xiang Yu, a reckless man.]
[Xiang Yu cannot be excused for this.]
Xianyang was burned, killed and looted?

The Qin emperor and his ministers as well as the common people were greatly shocked. This was Xianyang, the capital of the Qin Dynasty!
Xiang Liang: ...My nephew is such a reckless man! Study! You must study!
[As for killing Confucian scholars.]

As we mentioned earlier, Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng were unable to obtain the elixir, and out of fear, they slandered Qin Shi Huang and then slipped away.

The First Emperor was furious, thinking that these alchemists had received his generous rewards and yet still slandered him, so he sent imperial censors to arrest the students who slandered him. The students formed ties with each other, and more than 400 people violated the ban.

Qin Shi Huang ordered them to be buried alive as a warning to others. 】

[It’s really hard to comment, I think Zheng Ge did the right thing.]
[So those who were buried alive were basically all sorcerers.]
[The pen of a writer is as good as a murderous blade. You must not offend these intellectuals. Good things can be said to be bad, and bad things can be said to be good.]
[The words of scholars are deceiving!]

Many literati under the sky felt deeply insulted.

An old man threw up his sleeves and snorted, "It's all nonsense."

A woman nearby retorted: "You are the smartest, but you haven't become a scholar even though you are smart."

Old man: "Humph, there is nothing to talk about with a woman, you don't understand at all."

The woman rolled her eyes and said, "You understand."

[Do you know what this group of alchemists said about the First Emperor?

The host was really confused after seeing this.

Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng said: "Qin Shi Huang was stubborn, arrogant and self-righteous, and he thought he was the best in the world.

The ministers were afraid of the harsh laws and could only flatter.

Qin Shi Huang was arbitrary in all matters, big and small. He even had to review 200 kilograms of bamboo slips every day and would not rest until he finished.

It is impossible for such a power-hungry person to obtain the elixir."

My goodness, the host was really confused. Isn't this really a way for these alchemists to save their reputation?
The Qin Shi Huang had unified the six kingdoms, so what was wrong with him being proud? The host thought there was nothing wrong with that.

Ministers only dare to flatter? Did you ignore Chunyu Yue who poured cold water on the proposal and Wang Wan and others who supported the enfeoffment?

Do you have any objection to the emperor who reviews 200 kilograms of bamboo slips every day and does his work so diligently and personally?
So the anchor really felt sorry for him. He was deceived when asking for medicine and was slandered. The First Emperor was really miserable. 】

Qin Shi Huang, who was deeply loved, said: ...Thank you, but I don’t think I am miserable.

[Zheng Ge was so hardworking that those who criticized him said he was greedy for power, but he was not as hardworking as Qianlong. He was diligent every day, which was rare among emperors.]
[Zhu Yuanzhang also seemed to be very hardworking.]
[Old Zhu went to court before dawn every day and returned to the palace after dark to continue handling state affairs. He once handled more than a thousand memorials in eight days, which averaged out to about 150,000 words a day.]
Aixinjueluo Hongli: "Qianlong" was his reign title, what did he do? And...what does "do" mean?
Zhu Yuanzhang: This is what I should do.

Ying Zheng suddenly felt a little admiration for the emperor named Zhu Yuanzhang. Being an emperor requires such diligence.

Other emperors: I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt very unhappy.

Damn it, I got caught up!
[For thousands of years, people have been unanimous in judging and condemning Qin Shihuang's "burning of books and burying of scholars."

From the beginning of "scholars" and "alchemists" to "Confucian scholars", for more than two thousand years, feudal society basically did not say anything good about him.

But Qin Shihuang only killed 406 students. Looking at history, as an emperor, the number of people he killed was actually quite small.

The reason why such a big fuss was made was because of Confucianism. Confucianism was respected in later generations, so this emperor who "killed Confucian scholars" would naturally not have a good reputation. 】

[The witchcraft disaster of Emperor Wu of Han implicated hundreds of thousands of people. In the later years of Zhu Yuanzhang, he also slaughtered meritorious officials to pave the way for his grandson, killing many more people than Qin Shihuang.]
[Compared with many emperors in later generations, Zheng Ge’s methods were actually quite merciful.]
Ying Zheng: ... Tianmu's words have made me believe that I am a kind person.

Qin Dynasty Courtiers: Compared to this, Your Majesty is so good. I want to be your subject in my next life!

Liu Che: Tianmu must have a grudge against him. It is obviously Qin Shi Huang's special show, but they have to pull him out for a walk from time to time.

Han Wudi's courtiers: ...hundreds of thousands of people? I can't be one of them???
Zhu Yuanzhang: Paving the way for my grandson? Where is my banner?
Hongwu court officials: Massacre of meritorious officials? (Eyes wide open)

Confucius: Why do later Confucians always seem like bad guys?

Old Confucianists: I always feel that some Confucian disciples have brought bad reputation to Confucianism.

New Confucianists: Tianmu is slandering!!!
(End of this chapter)